U.S. Representative Billy Long voted Wednesday to strengthen accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), assisting House passage of the VA Accountability Act.

     “My vote on the VA Accountability Act is for all veterans to make sure we do all we can to provide the best quality care possible.  Last year’s horrible discovery of more than 100 secret waitlists at VA hospitals to manipulate service statistics moved Congress to act, aiming to improve the system and ensure no veteran’s need is ignored for a VA employee’s personal gain.  The VA has not followed through on its obligation for higher accountability, and only three VA employees have been removed since.  This bill would allow more consequences for irresponsible VA employees and harden performance measures for those involved in veterans’ care.  Our nation’s veterans have risked it all and sacrificed so much for our freedom.  It is the very least we can do to care for them after they return and retire.”

     The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability act was signed into law in August 2014 to reform the VA and take action on VA employees responsible for abuses of power.  Manipulations and questionable practices continued thereafter, prompting the House of Representatives to take additional action and expand on the historic 2014 VA reform law.

     Missouri’s Seventh Congressional District is home to approximately 60,000 veterans.